Rio Ferdinand back on MLS radar – Does a move make sense?

Rio Ferdinand’s proposed move to MLS is back on, according to a report in the Daily Mirror, as the experienced defender has struggled to adapt to his new surroundings at Queens Park Rangers so far this term.

The Englishman was released by Manchester United in the summer, and received offers from clubs across the globe, including MLS sides, but he instead chose to join up with former boss Harry Redknapp at QPR.

His season has not gone according to plan so far though and he is now seeing out a three-game ban which included a £25,000 fine for an offensive tweet.

He is one of the greatest centre-backs to have played the game in England, but he is set to turn 36 later on this week and if MLS clubs come calling in January he may want to take the option to shine abroad.

However, any move would cost Major League Soccer a substantial amount of money and they would need to be sure that investing in a defender would only help the league to grow.

His reputation would certainly help, but Ferdinand’s move would not ease claims that MLS is a ‘retirement league’ and his ability to defend at his age has come under scrutiny in recent times.

Ferdinand’s commercial value is what will have MLS officials thinking, and the player’s marketing value is something that would undoubtedly help the league to expand, especially if he were to join a new franchise such as New York City FC, where fellow Englishman Frank Lampard is set to play.

Ferdinand could well see out the season with QPR and then retire, but he may be looking for an escape before then and the January transfer window could see him make the move to MLS after all.

Would Rio Ferdinand be a good capture for MLS at this stage of his career?